FKD3230 Surfaces, Colloids and Soft Matter

Undergraduate degree in a relevant branch of science – eg materials, chemistry

Principles of Surface and Colloid Science

Thermodynamics of surface tension, adsorption and interacting surfaces, as well as the relevant experimental approaches.

Capillarity

Electrostatics of interfaces and titration of surface charge

Electrokinetic phenomena

Surface forces: double layer forces, van der Waals forces, steric forces, hydration forces and colloidal stability

Stablising dispersions

Adhesion

Wetting, including superhydrophobicity.

Applications of surface chemistry, with focus on paper industry, flotation and cleaning

Adsorption:  From gases and liquids, including polymers, polyelectrolytes and the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes.  Solution behaviour of polyectrolytes.

Surface modification

Surfcatant properties and association to micelles, vesicles, liquid crystals and biomembranes.

Emulsions, microemulsions and foams.

Gels

The aim of the course is to provide a broad, fundamental basis in surface and colloid chemistry and its applications.